MEDIA RELEASE

Kinoshita Communications is conducting a 2010 West Hawaii social media marketing survey for residents of West Hawaii. Participants have the chance to enter a drawing for a $50 Costco Card.

The purpose of the survey is to figure out who’s using social media in West Hawaii, for what purpose and what results they are getting. The survey will compare local social media trends to the mainland U.S.

To take the survey visit: survey.laura-kinoshita.com

MEDIA RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following product. Consumers should stop using product immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Graco Harmony™ High Chairs

Units: About 1.2 million

Manufacturer: Graco Children’s Products Inc., of Atlanta, Ga.

Hazard: The screws holding the front legs of the high chair can loosen and fall out and/or the plastic bracket on the rear legs can crack causing the high chair to become unstable and tip over unexpectedly. This poses a fall hazard to children.

Incidents/Injuries: Graco has received 464 reports of screws loosening/falling out and/or plastic brackets cracking causing the high chair to tip over unexpectedly. These tip-over’s resulted in 24 reports of injuries including bumps and bruises to the head, a hairline fracture to the arm, and cuts, bumps, bruises and scratches to the body.

Description: This recall involves all Harmony™ High Chairs. The Harmony™ high chair was manufactured from November 2003 through December 2009 and is no longer in production. The model number can be found on the label that is located on the underside of the foot rest.

Sold at: AAFES, Burlington Coat Factory, Babies “R” Us, Toys “R” Us, Sears, Target, Target.com, Walmart, WalMart.com, Shopko, USA Baby, and other retailers nationwide from December 2003 through March 2010 for between $70 and $120.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the Harmony™ high chair and contact Graco to receive a free repair kit.

Consumer Contact: To order a free repair kit, contact Graco toll-free at (877) 842-3206 or visit the firm’s Web site at www.gracobaby.com. For additional information, contact Graco at (800) 345-4109 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday.

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

MEDIA RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Bicycle Bells

Units: About 1,000

Distributor: Do It Best Corp., of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Manufacturer: Botou Baite Bike Bell Co. Ltd., of Botou City, China

Hazard: The red paint on the bicycle bells contains excessive lead levels, violating the federal lead paint standard.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves children’s bicycle bells. The bells are red, black and white and has “I ♥ My Bike” printed on the top. The green and white packaging reads “bike bell” and “$1.”

Sold at: Dollar Stores and Do It Best Hardware stores nationwide from August 2008 through August 2009 for about $1.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately remove the bicycle bells and return them to the store where purchased for a refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Do It Best Hardware toll-free at (877) 326-8954 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.doitbest.com. Consumers can also email the firm at products@doitbest.com

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

MEDIA RELEASE

Successful grant management often begins at the end, with setting up clear criteria for evaluation at the project’s conclusion. However, establishing measures, indicators of success, and goals can be a challenge to even the most accomplished grant-writers.

On Friday, April 16, community organizations and individuals are invited to attend a Data & Evaluation Training entitled “Learn to Evaluate Your Project & Increase Your Opportunities for Funding,” led by representatives from the National Community Anti-Drug Coalition Institute (CADCA).

The full-day workshop is 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort, at the cost of $10 per person including continental breakfast, lunch, parking and training materials.

“Evaluation is the most effective tool to continue current funding and attract new funders,” said Lori Eldridge of the North Hawaii Drug-Free Coalition. “Everyone can benefit from learning to establish an evaluation plan before your project begins. Success is a powerful motivator.”

This course is a follow-up to last summer’s two-day CADCA coalition training, but is open to everybody, Eldridge said.

“It’s designed to help anyone who wants to learn about evaluation basics,” she said.

Anyone who is looking for funding for an event or project will find that evaluation is a common requirement. Course topic areas include the five functions of evaluation, creating an evaluation plan, the spectrum of evidence needed, developing a logic model, and pulling it all together.

Sponsors include Five Mountains Hawaii, Hawaii County Mayor’s Office, Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Healing Our Island Community Fund, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the CADCA Institute, Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, AVS Audio Visual Services.

Registration forms are available on line at www.fivemountains.org/nhdfc or call the NHDFC office in Waimea, 887-1281.

The North Hawaii Drug-Free Coalition, a project of Five Mountains Hawaii, is a regional volunteer organization committed to developing strong, sustaining relationships for Healthy Communities Choosing to Live Drug Free.

MEDIA RELEASE

From the latest Kailua Village Business Improvement District newsletter:

Earlier this year we asked you for feedback on Kokua Kailua – the monthly Village Stroll that celebrates the Village experience.

What did we learn? An impressive 84 percent of survey respondents had attended Kokua Kailua, and almost half have enjoyed one of our festive Kailua Kalikimaka holiday events.

What was the top Kokua Kailua fave? Overwhelmingly, Alii Drive as a pedestrian walkway. A close second − vendor offerings, followed by free music.

Survey respondents commented on the variety of merchants, aloha spirit, community pride and the business the event brings in.

Constructive suggestions included more merchandise diversity, parking improvements and keeping things local.

For Kailua Kalikimaka, adding Santa, more family entertainment, lengthening store hours, and a New Year’s Eve celebration resonated with survey respondents.

The next Kokua Kailua event is Sunday, March 21.

— Find out more:
www.kvbid.org

iPhone version of video

Labor union members joined newspaper workers in picketing the Hawaii Tribune-Herald in Hilo Wednesday (March 17). Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7.

By Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Signs for the picketers created by Hawaii Newspaper Guild members earlier in the week.

A crowd of various labor union members joined the Hawaii Newspaper Guild workers to picket the Hawaii Tribune-Herald Wednesday (March 17) but it didn’t quite live up to the hype in emails sent to guild members and the media hoping for a huge, noisy gathering with politicians hopefully showing up to join them.

The crowd of about 60-70 sign wavers lining the sidewalks of Mamo and Kinoole Streets fronting the newspaper building and parking lot was civil, carried signs, waved a few signs, waved to drivers, some shouted out to drivers which got a some supportive honks back from vehicles. A media release by the Guild lists over a dozen different labor unions said to have voted to support the Newspaper Guild members.

No politicians were seen, though an email from the union said they have letters of support from Senators Dwight Takamine and Russell Kokubun, and Representatives Jerry Chang, Faye Hanohano, Clift Tsuji and Mark Nakashima; County Council Chair J Yoshimoto and County Council member Guy Enriques.

The loudest, most outspoken person on the sidewalk was a random person passing by yelling to support the Tribune-Herald as he drowned-out the sign-wavers and made them turn around to see who was yelling.

Picketers on Mamo Street in front of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald building.

The informational picketing was to show unity amongst the labor unions and to inform the public about the working conditions at the newspaper. Signs read that Newspaper Guild members have not had a raise for over eight years at the paper. The Hawaii Tribune-Herald cancelled their contract with the union on December 22, 2009 but are still in negotiations with the Guild which continues to represent about 45 workers at the paper.

Wayne Cahill, administrative officer for Hawaii Newspaper Guild, said if negotiations between the Newspaper Guild and Stephens Media (parent company of the Hawaii Tribune-Herald) failed then actions may be taken against the Tribune-Herald and other Stephens Media companies on the Big Island such as West Hawaii Today in Kona. Urging the public to drop their subscriptions and for businesses to pull advertising in the newspaper were cited as possibilities.

Negotiations between Stephens Media and the Hawaii Newspaper Guild are being held in Hilo Thursday and Friday (March 18-19).

Stephens Media

Hawaii Tribune-Herald News (Guild members website)

Special to Hawaii 24/7 by Hawaii Coffee Association Board Member Chris Manfredi, Ka’u Farm and Ranch Company, LLC

The Hawaii Coffee Association kicked off its inaugural Road Show tour Jan. 17-19 at the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) Winter Fancy Food Show at the Moscone Center in San Francisco.

The three-day event was attended by approximately 17,000 attendees and hosted by 1,300 exhibitors representing 32 counties from around the globe. In its 35th year, the NASFT Fancy Food Show featured an array of nearly 80,000 gourmet and specialty products.

Indicative of a growing niche trend, more than 600 exhibitors featured natural and organic products- a total of 46 percent of the exhibitors on hand.

With the economy showing signs of recovery, buyers are eager to find specialty food and beverages that will help set their business apart, said Ann Daw, president of the NASFT.

The HCA promotional event is made possible by the state Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant program. HCA members were offered sponsorship opportunities and invited to present their coffee and collateral material for tasting, display and distribution in the HCA booth.

Contacts with prospective buyers, brokers, distributors, roasters, and service providers yielded 153 actionable leads that were shared with the HCA membership.

HCA members who made the journey on behalf of the HCA and Hawaiian coffee were team leader Steve Collector of Tropical Temptations, Brent Hight of Koa Coffee, Shawn Steiman of Coffea Consulting and Chris Manfredi of Ka’u Farm and Ranch Co., LLC.

The star of the show, of course, was the coffee. HCA members representing all coffee producing islands including Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, Molokai and Oahu continuously brewed and served member coffee from dawn ’til dusk for the entire span of the event, as well as answering questions and extolling the virtues of Hawaiian coffee.

“The traffic at the show was heavy most of the time compared to most trade shows,” Hight said.

“The booth was a big success,” Steiman said. “Nearly all folks were impressed with the quality of at least one coffee, if not several.”

Future shows on the HCA Road Show schedule include: Specialty Coffee Association of America’s Exposition, Anaheim, Calif., April 16-18; Made in Hawaii Festival, Honolulu in August; Coffee Fest, Seattle, Wash. next year.

The HCA Road Show initiative gives event sponsors a direct benefit in that they can be represented at a major venue at a small fraction of the cost when compared to independently participating. Moreover, all HCA members get the benefit of the leads generated from the shows.

— Find out more:
Hawaii Coffee Association: hawaiicoffeeassociation.com/

MEDIA RELEASE

Mark Richards, president of Maryl Group, Inc., has announced the company has promoted Mark Kong to president of Maryl Pacific Construction, Inc. and Maryl Construction, Inc., and senior vice president of Maryl Group, Inc.

“Mark’s performance and contributions to all departments has been vital to Maryl’s success,” Richards said. “His dedication to team work and constant care of the company has helped Maryl get through some very challenging situations. We are confident that as President of MPC and MC, Mark will be able to guide us out of this difficult economic time.”

Mark Kong

In his new position, Kong will be in charge of the overall management of both companies including pre-construction, operations, cost department and safety management.

Hired nearly 10 years ago at Maryl as director of Human Resources and Safety Officer to direct and develop the company’s human resources and safety functions, Kong has been vice president of administration for the past four years. In that position, he oversaw human resources, cost, safety management, and general administration on all islands.

Maryl is a company of statewide dimension that has earned an enviable reputation over two decades for master planned communities, commercial centers, custom residential homes, island architecture and impeccable construction.

With offices on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island , Maryl is uniquely positioned to provide a full range of development and construction services throughout the state.

Current Maryl projects include the West Hawaii Civic Center on the Big Island, the Longs Drugs Store in Pahoa on the Big Island, and the USDA Facility in Waimanalo.

For more information, contact Maryl at 808-545-6464, or visit www.maryl.com

MEDIA RELEASE

During fiscal year 2009, total state agency electric consumption dropped 5.8 percent from 2008 and 2.5 percent from the baseline year of 2005, according to the Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism’s (DBEDT) annual “Lead By Example” report to the state Legislature.

The decline in the state’s energy consumption represents the largest single-year decrease since the “Lead By Example” initiative began in 2006, and the first time that overall consumption has been lower than the 2005 baseline levels.

The report outlines the progress made by state executive agencies in fiscal year 2008-2009 in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, transportation, green buildings and environmentally preferable purchasing.

“Improved energy efficiency and conservation at state facilities moves us closer to achieving Hawaii’s goal of 70 percent clean energy by 2030,” Gov. Linda Lingle said. “All of our state departments and their employees, especially building design and maintenance staff, deserve credit for their efforts to reduce energy consumption and implement clean energy technologies.”

Despite the decrease in consumption, overall cost has steadily risen each year due to the escalating price of oil. Between 2008 and 2009, while electricity consumption decreased 5.8 percent, costs increased 1.2 percent.

The report also noted renewable energy development progressed in 2009.

The University of Hawaii – Hilo is in the process of installing more than 230 kW of photovoltaic (PV) solar capacity, including a 23 kW PV system over the Campus Center that will soon be built; a 30 kW PV system being planned for Portable Building 11; and an 88 kW PV system over the North Hawaii Education and Research Center currently in the bidding process.

The Department of Transportation–Airports installed photovoltaic systems with a combined capacity of 875 kW at the Lihue, Kona, Hilo and Kahului Airports as part of the department’s Photovoltaic Energy Systems Project. In addition, DOT installed a 16 kW small-wind system at Honolulu International Airport and photovoltaic systems at the Highways Division Baseyard in Lihue and the DOT Nawiliwili Harbor.

The state DOT announced March 9 that it is accepting bids for renewable energy generation systems at DOT, DBEDT and University of Hawaii facilities statewide. The proposals for renewable energy systems can include photovoltaic systems, concentrated solar power and wind power.

The new renewable energy generation systems will reduce operating costs by obtaining a stable rate for electrical power that is independent of price fluctuations caused by changes in oil prices. This significant and long-term investment establishes Hawaii as a leader in the development of renewable energy sources and reduces carbon dioxide emissions.

Last October, the state entered into a contract with Noresco, LLC, an energy services company to implement energy efficiency improvements to 10 state office buildings within the State Capitol District, including the State Capitol, that comprise more than 1.3 million square feet of building space.

The project is expected to save more than 6.3 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, reducing utility bills by 30 percent, which equals approximately $3.2 million per year in operational savings.

Other “Lead By Example” projects are detailed in the full report that can be seen at: hawaii.gov/dbedt/info/energy/efficiency/state/lbe/stateemployees

The “Lead By Example” initiative began in 2006 in response to legislative and executive mandates to improve the way state executive branch agencies use energy in operations and facilities.

MEDIA RELEASE

Recall on Honda Odyssey and Element

TORRANCE, Calif. – March 16, 2010 – Honda will recall approximately 344,000 Odyssey and 68,000 Element vehicles from the 2007-2008 model years in the U.S. to modify the Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®) modulator. Honda has received customer complaints of brake pedals that feel “soft” or that gradually exhibit a pedal height that gets lower (closer to the floor) before the vehicle stops. In affected vehicles, this condition tends to very slowly increase over time.

Some VSA modulators were assembled in a manner that could allow air intrusion, making it possible for air to enter the modulator during the VSA self-check mode. While only a miniscule amount of air can enter the system during each check, over a period of months or years, the air will accumulate and can result in the “soft brake pedal” or “low brake pedal” condition symptoms associated with this issue. Although not all vehicles being recalled are affected by this issue, we are recalling all possible units to assure all customers that their vehicles will perform correctly.

Honda is announcing this recall to encourage all owners of these vehicles to take their vehicle to an authorized dealer as soon as they receive notification from Honda that their vehicle is affected. Notification to customers will start at the end of April.

Once owners of these vehicles receive written notification of this recall from Honda, they should contact their authorized Honda dealer to schedule an appointment for repair. When Honda identifies concerns of this nature, nothing is more important to the company than fulfilling our obligation and responsibility to alert our customers. To this end in addition to contacting customers by mail, after April 19, 2010, owners of these vehicles will be able to determine if their vehicle requires repair by going on-line or calling. Honda owners can go to www.recalls.honda.com or call (800) 999-1009, and select option 4.

Recall on Previous Generation 2007 and 2008 Model-Year Honda Fit

Honda has issued a recall for the previous generation 2007 and 2008 model-year Honda Fit, related to the master power window switch. In some very limited instances, when an extreme amount of liquid, such as rain or melted snow, floods the master power window switch in the driver’s door, it may result in a switch malfunction with a potential for overheating.

As we have just announced this recall, we will notify each customer by mail with instructions about how and when to have their vehicle inspected and updated at an authorized Honda dealer. If customers notice any malfunction with the master power window switch in the driver’s door, we encourage them to have their vehicle inspected as soon as possible. It is important for our customers to note that the current generation 2009 and 2010 model-year Honda Fit models are unaffected by this recall.

Zip Isle features seven lines over the World Botanical Gardens and Waterfalls. (Photo courtesy of Zip Isle)

MEDIA RELEASE

The new year brought a new adventure to the Big Island.

Kamaaina, local dignitaries and board members of the World Botanical Gardens & Waterfalls enjoyed grand opening festivities for the zip line adventure back in January.

The Zip Isle zip line adventure is the newest attraction at the World Botanical Gardens & Waterfalls, 16 miles north of Hilo. Following a traditional Hawaiian blessing and mail lei parting, the two-hour attraction was praised by Mayor Billy Kenoi.

“During these challenging times, it is truly a bright spot to see what hard work, confidence, and commitment to our beautiful island traditions can achieve,” Kenoi said. “We welcome the Zip Isle zip adventure and applaud the spirit in which the World Botanical Gardens & Waterfalls officials created this exciting new attraction.”

The zip line features seven zip lines through the rainforest on long cables and one suspension bridge. An additional, parallel 1,100-foot long zip line was recently added at the ride’s seventh stage, allowing riders to race and enjoy the excitement along side each other.

Zip Isle significantly helps the World Botanical Gardens & Waterfalls meet its mission of being a jewel of all botanical gardens, said Ken Francik, chairman of the board for WBGI.

Zip Isle's seven runs carry riders over the botanical gardens. (Photo courtesy of Zip Isle)

“With Zip Isle, we sought to create a new kind of world-class adventure that would complement the popular other attractions at the gardens,” Francik said. “We are excited to add this new attraction that fits so well with our waterfalls, magnificent flowers and plants, guided tours, arboretum, and fun family maze. Its success strengthens our acting as a repository for rare and endangered plant species from around the world.”

“We have been getting rave reviews from tourists and kamaaina,” said Mark Robinson, WBGI board member and marketing director. “Riders are using words like ‘awesome,’ ‘over the top experience,’ and ‘best two hours of my vacation,’ to describe their feelings after riding.”

The Zip Isle Zip line adventure courses are on a small portion of the more than 200-acres that make up the World Botanical Gardens. The thrill ride is located at about the 350-foot level at the base of Mauna Kea, and about one-half-a-mile from the WBG’s Visitor Center.

The zip lines begin shorter rides through seven stages and with ranges in elevation from ground level to approximately 100-feet in height and all tours include safety training and special electric transport from the Gardens to the Zip Isle Zip Line Adventure starting point.

Zip Isle is a member of the Professional Ropes Course Association that is writing the ANSI Standards for zip lines nationwide.

Canopy Tours, also known as Zip Line Tours, have increased dramatically in popularity in recent years due to the thrill of the ride and the increasing range of skill levels that can be accommodated. They been on various challenge reality television shows over the past few years.

Zip Lines have been operating in the United States since 1999. This growing adventure experience became popular in Costa Rica during the mid to late 1990’s. They were based on ropes challenge courses in the United States which gained in popularity since the mid 1960’s.

After the popular movie “Medicine Man” starring Sean Connery hit movie theaters in 1992, the concept of exploring the canopy of the tree tops utilizing climbing ropes, harnesses, and pulleys sparked the interest of adventure travelers around the world.

Advance, on-line reservations are recommended. Walk-up riders are welcome on a space available basis. Additional information is also available by calling toll free: 888-Ziplsle (888-947-4753) or locally at 963-5427.

Zip Isle and the World Botanical Gardens & Waterfalls are open daily 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. year around.

Complete information, including pricing and schedules are available at: www.zipisle.com

Zip Isle crews during the construction phase last year. (Photo courtesy of Zip Isle)

MEDIA RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Fluke VoltAlert® Voltage Detector

Units: About 33,000

Manufacturer: Fluke Corporation, of Everett, Wash.

Hazard: The testers can fail to give an indication of live voltage, resulting in the operator falsely believing the electrical power is off, posing a risk of serious injury or death from electrical shock or thermal burns.

Incidents/Injuries: No injuries have been reported.

Description: The Fluke voltage testers look like a pen with a yellow, white and gray body. The testers measure 90 to 1000 volts alternating current (VAC). “Fluke” and the model number are printed on the front of each unit. The recall involves Fluke 1AC-A1-I VoltAlert® tester with the following model and item numbers:

Sold at: Industrial distributors and electrical wholesalers nationwide from September 2009 through February 2010 for about $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled product immediately and contact Fluke for a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fluke toll-free at (888) 983-5853 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.fluke.com/1AC-A1recall

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx